Why are synthetic pH indicators used over natural indicators? The Next CEO of Stack OverflowWhy is Lanthanum a “fluoride ion sensitive electrode” and hence used for measuring “flouride concentration”?Why are ketones acidic?Why do universal indicators in titration have to be swirled?Why are lactate and lactic acid used synonymously in biochemistry?Identifying unknown solution with indicators. why is one pKa value ignored and how to treat negatives values?What indicators can be used when substituting iodine with other halogens in the Winkler method?Why, in titration, is universal indicator not commonly used?Why are indicators used only in the form of dilute solutions?What pH indicators are commonly used for non-polar medium?Why would CuSO4-EDTA drops be used in Pb titrations?

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Why are synthetic pH indicators used over natural indicators?



The Next CEO of Stack OverflowWhy is Lanthanum a “fluoride ion sensitive electrode” and hence used for measuring “flouride concentration”?Why are ketones acidic?Why do universal indicators in titration have to be swirled?Why are lactate and lactic acid used synonymously in biochemistry?Identifying unknown solution with indicators. why is one pKa value ignored and how to treat negatives values?What indicators can be used when substituting iodine with other halogens in the Winkler method?Why, in titration, is universal indicator not commonly used?Why are indicators used only in the form of dilute solutions?What pH indicators are commonly used for non-polar medium?Why would CuSO4-EDTA drops be used in Pb titrations?










9












$begingroup$


Synthetic indicators seem to be exclusively used when determining the pH of a substance with an indicator (with the exception of that school experiment where you boil cabbage to demonstrate natural pH indicators) or in acid-base titrations etc. over natural indicators. Why is this the case when naturally occurring indicator can be easily prepared from accessible and sustainable methods, such as boiling cabbage for example? Intuition seems to suggest that perhaps synthetic indicators are much more accurate and reliable, being specifically designed for the task, is this the case? Or are there other reasons why natural indicators are regularly used as a cost-effective, environmentally friendly and easily prepared alternative to synthetic pH indicators?



What are the advantages/disadvantages of using synthetic indicators over natural ones (or vice versa)?






acid-base ph titration







share|improve this question











$endgroup$







  • 6




    $begingroup$
    Probably it's still cheaper. Also why waste good cabbage ;)
    $endgroup$
    – Mithoron
    Mar 24 at 0:17






  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Scientists like to minimize unknown factors. If you can give me a top 3 list of what's in red cabbage, I will be impressed.
    $endgroup$
    – Zhe
    Mar 24 at 1:51







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Another point is that any kind of analysis is about achieving consistency. It is often better to synthesize a pure compound than to try to extract it from some biological and purify it.
    $endgroup$
    – MaxW
    Mar 24 at 2:07






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Most of the common synthetic pH indicators were probably discovered somewhere around 1850-1920, when organic chemistry really started to take off with simple aryl compounds. This means the indicators are very easy to make with modern knowledge/facilities/supply lines, so they can be made pure in metric ton scale for pennies. Hard to beat those economics.
    $endgroup$
    – Nicolau Saker Neto
    Mar 24 at 5:15







  • 3




    $begingroup$
    As a side note, you shouldn't equate "natural" and "environmentally-friendly." Extracting a bunch of hydrogen cyanide from bitter almonds and dumping it in a lake has the same effect as synthesizing a bunch of hydrogen cyanide using Andrussow oxidation and dumping it a lake.
    $endgroup$
    – probably_someone
    Mar 24 at 15:10
















9












$begingroup$


Synthetic indicators seem to be exclusively used when determining the pH of a substance with an indicator (with the exception of that school experiment where you boil cabbage to demonstrate natural pH indicators) or in acid-base titrations etc. over natural indicators. Why is this the case when naturally occurring indicator can be easily prepared from accessible and sustainable methods, such as boiling cabbage for example? Intuition seems to suggest that perhaps synthetic indicators are much more accurate and reliable, being specifically designed for the task, is this the case? Or are there other reasons why natural indicators are regularly used as a cost-effective, environmentally friendly and easily prepared alternative to synthetic pH indicators?



What are the advantages/disadvantages of using synthetic indicators over natural ones (or vice versa)?






acid-base ph titration







share|improve this question











$endgroup$







  • 6




    $begingroup$
    Probably it's still cheaper. Also why waste good cabbage ;)
    $endgroup$
    – Mithoron
    Mar 24 at 0:17






  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Scientists like to minimize unknown factors. If you can give me a top 3 list of what's in red cabbage, I will be impressed.
    $endgroup$
    – Zhe
    Mar 24 at 1:51







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Another point is that any kind of analysis is about achieving consistency. It is often better to synthesize a pure compound than to try to extract it from some biological and purify it.
    $endgroup$
    – MaxW
    Mar 24 at 2:07






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Most of the common synthetic pH indicators were probably discovered somewhere around 1850-1920, when organic chemistry really started to take off with simple aryl compounds. This means the indicators are very easy to make with modern knowledge/facilities/supply lines, so they can be made pure in metric ton scale for pennies. Hard to beat those economics.
    $endgroup$
    – Nicolau Saker Neto
    Mar 24 at 5:15







  • 3




    $begingroup$
    As a side note, you shouldn't equate "natural" and "environmentally-friendly." Extracting a bunch of hydrogen cyanide from bitter almonds and dumping it in a lake has the same effect as synthesizing a bunch of hydrogen cyanide using Andrussow oxidation and dumping it a lake.
    $endgroup$
    – probably_someone
    Mar 24 at 15:10














9












9








9


2



$begingroup$


Synthetic indicators seem to be exclusively used when determining the pH of a substance with an indicator (with the exception of that school experiment where you boil cabbage to demonstrate natural pH indicators) or in acid-base titrations etc. over natural indicators. Why is this the case when naturally occurring indicator can be easily prepared from accessible and sustainable methods, such as boiling cabbage for example? Intuition seems to suggest that perhaps synthetic indicators are much more accurate and reliable, being specifically designed for the task, is this the case? Or are there other reasons why natural indicators are regularly used as a cost-effective, environmentally friendly and easily prepared alternative to synthetic pH indicators?



What are the advantages/disadvantages of using synthetic indicators over natural ones (or vice versa)?






acid-base ph titration







share|improve this question











$endgroup$




Synthetic indicators seem to be exclusively used when determining the pH of a substance with an indicator (with the exception of that school experiment where you boil cabbage to demonstrate natural pH indicators) or in acid-base titrations etc. over natural indicators. Why is this the case when naturally occurring indicator can be easily prepared from accessible and sustainable methods, such as boiling cabbage for example? Intuition seems to suggest that perhaps synthetic indicators are much more accurate and reliable, being specifically designed for the task, is this the case? Or are there other reasons why natural indicators are regularly used as a cost-effective, environmentally friendly and easily prepared alternative to synthetic pH indicators?



What are the advantages/disadvantages of using synthetic indicators over natural ones (or vice versa)?






acid-base ph titration




acid-base ph titration






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Mar 24 at 0:45







Patrick Shway

















asked Mar 23 at 23:39









Patrick ShwayPatrick Shway

535




535







  • 6




    $begingroup$
    Probably it's still cheaper. Also why waste good cabbage ;)
    $endgroup$
    – Mithoron
    Mar 24 at 0:17






  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Scientists like to minimize unknown factors. If you can give me a top 3 list of what's in red cabbage, I will be impressed.
    $endgroup$
    – Zhe
    Mar 24 at 1:51







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Another point is that any kind of analysis is about achieving consistency. It is often better to synthesize a pure compound than to try to extract it from some biological and purify it.
    $endgroup$
    – MaxW
    Mar 24 at 2:07






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Most of the common synthetic pH indicators were probably discovered somewhere around 1850-1920, when organic chemistry really started to take off with simple aryl compounds. This means the indicators are very easy to make with modern knowledge/facilities/supply lines, so they can be made pure in metric ton scale for pennies. Hard to beat those economics.
    $endgroup$
    – Nicolau Saker Neto
    Mar 24 at 5:15







  • 3




    $begingroup$
    As a side note, you shouldn't equate "natural" and "environmentally-friendly." Extracting a bunch of hydrogen cyanide from bitter almonds and dumping it in a lake has the same effect as synthesizing a bunch of hydrogen cyanide using Andrussow oxidation and dumping it a lake.
    $endgroup$
    – probably_someone
    Mar 24 at 15:10













  • 6




    $begingroup$
    Probably it's still cheaper. Also why waste good cabbage ;)
    $endgroup$
    – Mithoron
    Mar 24 at 0:17






  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Scientists like to minimize unknown factors. If you can give me a top 3 list of what's in red cabbage, I will be impressed.
    $endgroup$
    – Zhe
    Mar 24 at 1:51







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Another point is that any kind of analysis is about achieving consistency. It is often better to synthesize a pure compound than to try to extract it from some biological and purify it.
    $endgroup$
    – MaxW
    Mar 24 at 2:07






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Most of the common synthetic pH indicators were probably discovered somewhere around 1850-1920, when organic chemistry really started to take off with simple aryl compounds. This means the indicators are very easy to make with modern knowledge/facilities/supply lines, so they can be made pure in metric ton scale for pennies. Hard to beat those economics.
    $endgroup$
    – Nicolau Saker Neto
    Mar 24 at 5:15







  • 3




    $begingroup$
    As a side note, you shouldn't equate "natural" and "environmentally-friendly." Extracting a bunch of hydrogen cyanide from bitter almonds and dumping it in a lake has the same effect as synthesizing a bunch of hydrogen cyanide using Andrussow oxidation and dumping it a lake.
    $endgroup$
    – probably_someone
    Mar 24 at 15:10








6




6




$begingroup$
Probably it's still cheaper. Also why waste good cabbage ;)
$endgroup$
– Mithoron
Mar 24 at 0:17




$begingroup$
Probably it's still cheaper. Also why waste good cabbage ;)
$endgroup$
– Mithoron
Mar 24 at 0:17




4




4




$begingroup$
Scientists like to minimize unknown factors. If you can give me a top 3 list of what's in red cabbage, I will be impressed.
$endgroup$
– Zhe
Mar 24 at 1:51





$begingroup$
Scientists like to minimize unknown factors. If you can give me a top 3 list of what's in red cabbage, I will be impressed.
$endgroup$
– Zhe
Mar 24 at 1:51





1




1




$begingroup$
Another point is that any kind of analysis is about achieving consistency. It is often better to synthesize a pure compound than to try to extract it from some biological and purify it.
$endgroup$
– MaxW
Mar 24 at 2:07




$begingroup$
Another point is that any kind of analysis is about achieving consistency. It is often better to synthesize a pure compound than to try to extract it from some biological and purify it.
$endgroup$
– MaxW
Mar 24 at 2:07




1




1




$begingroup$
Most of the common synthetic pH indicators were probably discovered somewhere around 1850-1920, when organic chemistry really started to take off with simple aryl compounds. This means the indicators are very easy to make with modern knowledge/facilities/supply lines, so they can be made pure in metric ton scale for pennies. Hard to beat those economics.
$endgroup$
– Nicolau Saker Neto
Mar 24 at 5:15





$begingroup$
Most of the common synthetic pH indicators were probably discovered somewhere around 1850-1920, when organic chemistry really started to take off with simple aryl compounds. This means the indicators are very easy to make with modern knowledge/facilities/supply lines, so they can be made pure in metric ton scale for pennies. Hard to beat those economics.
$endgroup$
– Nicolau Saker Neto
Mar 24 at 5:15





3




3




$begingroup$
As a side note, you shouldn't equate "natural" and "environmentally-friendly." Extracting a bunch of hydrogen cyanide from bitter almonds and dumping it in a lake has the same effect as synthesizing a bunch of hydrogen cyanide using Andrussow oxidation and dumping it a lake.
$endgroup$
– probably_someone
Mar 24 at 15:10





$begingroup$
As a side note, you shouldn't equate "natural" and "environmentally-friendly." Extracting a bunch of hydrogen cyanide from bitter almonds and dumping it in a lake has the same effect as synthesizing a bunch of hydrogen cyanide using Andrussow oxidation and dumping it a lake.
$endgroup$
– probably_someone
Mar 24 at 15:10











2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















11












$begingroup$

In acid-base titrations, synthetic indicators are exclusively used to find accurate end-point determinations because they always have a highly defined color change at certain pHs. For example, phenolphthalein ($mathrmpK_mathrma = 9.7$ at $pu25 ^circC$) is colorless in acidic solutions (precisely $0 lt mathrmpH lt 8.2$), but it is pink in basic conditions when the pH of the solution goes above 8.2 (precisely $8.2 lt mathrmpH lt 12.0$), which makes it ideal for strong acid-strong base titrations (Wikipedia). On the other hand, bromothymol blue ($mathrmpK_mathrma = 7.1$ at $pu25 ^circC$) is yellow in acidic solutions (precisely $0 lt mathrmpH lt 6.0$), but it is blue in basic conditions when the pH of the solution goes above 7.6 ($7.6 lt mathrmpH$). However, it shows greenish-blue color in a neutral solution (precisely $6.0 lt mathrmpH lt 7.6$; see the picture below).



Bromothymol blue_pH_Range



It also change color from yellow to pink in high acidic conditions such in concentrated hydrochloric acid ($0 gt mathrmpH$; see most left test tube in picture below), thus it is ideal to use as universal indicator (Wikipedia). These two example would clearly show you, as you correctly put it, synthetic indicators are much more accurate and reliable since they have being specifically designed for the task.



Bromothymol blue_pH_0



Sure, natural indicators could be easily prepared from easily attainable row materials, and hence, could be regularly used as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic pH indicators, but I regret to say that it can be used only in high school science activities to fascinate science loving kids. Since, those natural sources contain several color changing substances (e.g., flavanones, flavones, flavonols, and anthocyanidins), the color change at the end-points are not sharp, perhaps, due to difficulty of determining $mathrmpK_mathrma$ of relevant indicator(s). For example, although boiled red cabbage water can be used as a universal indicator in high school projects and show the end point of an acid-base titration (see following figure), it cannot be used in day-to-day analytical lab to do accurate calculations.



Natural-Indicators



Also, another reason for not using those natural indicator is most of these dyes tends to decompose in higher pH values. The best example is most common natural color indicator, anthocyanidins. The stability of anthocyanidins is dependent on pH. At a low pH (acidic conditions), colored anthocyanidins are present, whereas at a higher pH (basic conditions) the colorless chalcones forms are present (see scheme below) (Wikipedia).



Anthocyanidins



Most importantly, aside from above facts that flavonols including anthocyanidins have been studied extensively in drug development due to their plethora of biological activities (Ref.1). Thus they have been targetted in much more important tasks than usage as pH indicators.



Reference:



  1. M. Rahnasto-Rilla, J. Tyni, M. Huovinen, E. Jarho, T. Kulikowicz, S. Ravichandran, V. A. Bohr, L. Ferrucci, M. Lahtela-Kakkonen, R. Moaddel, “Natural polyphenols as sirtuin 6 modulators,” Scientific Reports 2018, 8, 4163 (11 pages) (DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-22388-5).





share|improve this answer











$endgroup$




















    4












    $begingroup$

    The main issue with natural indicators is their purity, long term chemical stability and shelf-life. Note that some natural indicators are pretty good for example the famous litmus paper is obtained from lichens. It is a mixture of several pigments like the red cabbage. Sometimes titrations are carried out at warm temperatures, do you think the pigments in cabbage survive heat in acidic and basic solutions?






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$













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      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes








      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      11












      $begingroup$

      In acid-base titrations, synthetic indicators are exclusively used to find accurate end-point determinations because they always have a highly defined color change at certain pHs. For example, phenolphthalein ($mathrmpK_mathrma = 9.7$ at $pu25 ^circC$) is colorless in acidic solutions (precisely $0 lt mathrmpH lt 8.2$), but it is pink in basic conditions when the pH of the solution goes above 8.2 (precisely $8.2 lt mathrmpH lt 12.0$), which makes it ideal for strong acid-strong base titrations (Wikipedia). On the other hand, bromothymol blue ($mathrmpK_mathrma = 7.1$ at $pu25 ^circC$) is yellow in acidic solutions (precisely $0 lt mathrmpH lt 6.0$), but it is blue in basic conditions when the pH of the solution goes above 7.6 ($7.6 lt mathrmpH$). However, it shows greenish-blue color in a neutral solution (precisely $6.0 lt mathrmpH lt 7.6$; see the picture below).



      Bromothymol blue_pH_Range



      It also change color from yellow to pink in high acidic conditions such in concentrated hydrochloric acid ($0 gt mathrmpH$; see most left test tube in picture below), thus it is ideal to use as universal indicator (Wikipedia). These two example would clearly show you, as you correctly put it, synthetic indicators are much more accurate and reliable since they have being specifically designed for the task.



      Bromothymol blue_pH_0



      Sure, natural indicators could be easily prepared from easily attainable row materials, and hence, could be regularly used as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic pH indicators, but I regret to say that it can be used only in high school science activities to fascinate science loving kids. Since, those natural sources contain several color changing substances (e.g., flavanones, flavones, flavonols, and anthocyanidins), the color change at the end-points are not sharp, perhaps, due to difficulty of determining $mathrmpK_mathrma$ of relevant indicator(s). For example, although boiled red cabbage water can be used as a universal indicator in high school projects and show the end point of an acid-base titration (see following figure), it cannot be used in day-to-day analytical lab to do accurate calculations.



      Natural-Indicators



      Also, another reason for not using those natural indicator is most of these dyes tends to decompose in higher pH values. The best example is most common natural color indicator, anthocyanidins. The stability of anthocyanidins is dependent on pH. At a low pH (acidic conditions), colored anthocyanidins are present, whereas at a higher pH (basic conditions) the colorless chalcones forms are present (see scheme below) (Wikipedia).



      Anthocyanidins



      Most importantly, aside from above facts that flavonols including anthocyanidins have been studied extensively in drug development due to their plethora of biological activities (Ref.1). Thus they have been targetted in much more important tasks than usage as pH indicators.



      Reference:



      1. M. Rahnasto-Rilla, J. Tyni, M. Huovinen, E. Jarho, T. Kulikowicz, S. Ravichandran, V. A. Bohr, L. Ferrucci, M. Lahtela-Kakkonen, R. Moaddel, “Natural polyphenols as sirtuin 6 modulators,” Scientific Reports 2018, 8, 4163 (11 pages) (DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-22388-5).





      share|improve this answer











      $endgroup$

















        11












        $begingroup$

        In acid-base titrations, synthetic indicators are exclusively used to find accurate end-point determinations because they always have a highly defined color change at certain pHs. For example, phenolphthalein ($mathrmpK_mathrma = 9.7$ at $pu25 ^circC$) is colorless in acidic solutions (precisely $0 lt mathrmpH lt 8.2$), but it is pink in basic conditions when the pH of the solution goes above 8.2 (precisely $8.2 lt mathrmpH lt 12.0$), which makes it ideal for strong acid-strong base titrations (Wikipedia). On the other hand, bromothymol blue ($mathrmpK_mathrma = 7.1$ at $pu25 ^circC$) is yellow in acidic solutions (precisely $0 lt mathrmpH lt 6.0$), but it is blue in basic conditions when the pH of the solution goes above 7.6 ($7.6 lt mathrmpH$). However, it shows greenish-blue color in a neutral solution (precisely $6.0 lt mathrmpH lt 7.6$; see the picture below).



        Bromothymol blue_pH_Range



        It also change color from yellow to pink in high acidic conditions such in concentrated hydrochloric acid ($0 gt mathrmpH$; see most left test tube in picture below), thus it is ideal to use as universal indicator (Wikipedia). These two example would clearly show you, as you correctly put it, synthetic indicators are much more accurate and reliable since they have being specifically designed for the task.



        Bromothymol blue_pH_0



        Sure, natural indicators could be easily prepared from easily attainable row materials, and hence, could be regularly used as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic pH indicators, but I regret to say that it can be used only in high school science activities to fascinate science loving kids. Since, those natural sources contain several color changing substances (e.g., flavanones, flavones, flavonols, and anthocyanidins), the color change at the end-points are not sharp, perhaps, due to difficulty of determining $mathrmpK_mathrma$ of relevant indicator(s). For example, although boiled red cabbage water can be used as a universal indicator in high school projects and show the end point of an acid-base titration (see following figure), it cannot be used in day-to-day analytical lab to do accurate calculations.



        Natural-Indicators



        Also, another reason for not using those natural indicator is most of these dyes tends to decompose in higher pH values. The best example is most common natural color indicator, anthocyanidins. The stability of anthocyanidins is dependent on pH. At a low pH (acidic conditions), colored anthocyanidins are present, whereas at a higher pH (basic conditions) the colorless chalcones forms are present (see scheme below) (Wikipedia).



        Anthocyanidins



        Most importantly, aside from above facts that flavonols including anthocyanidins have been studied extensively in drug development due to their plethora of biological activities (Ref.1). Thus they have been targetted in much more important tasks than usage as pH indicators.



        Reference:



        1. M. Rahnasto-Rilla, J. Tyni, M. Huovinen, E. Jarho, T. Kulikowicz, S. Ravichandran, V. A. Bohr, L. Ferrucci, M. Lahtela-Kakkonen, R. Moaddel, “Natural polyphenols as sirtuin 6 modulators,” Scientific Reports 2018, 8, 4163 (11 pages) (DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-22388-5).





        share|improve this answer











        $endgroup$















          11












          11








          11





          $begingroup$

          In acid-base titrations, synthetic indicators are exclusively used to find accurate end-point determinations because they always have a highly defined color change at certain pHs. For example, phenolphthalein ($mathrmpK_mathrma = 9.7$ at $pu25 ^circC$) is colorless in acidic solutions (precisely $0 lt mathrmpH lt 8.2$), but it is pink in basic conditions when the pH of the solution goes above 8.2 (precisely $8.2 lt mathrmpH lt 12.0$), which makes it ideal for strong acid-strong base titrations (Wikipedia). On the other hand, bromothymol blue ($mathrmpK_mathrma = 7.1$ at $pu25 ^circC$) is yellow in acidic solutions (precisely $0 lt mathrmpH lt 6.0$), but it is blue in basic conditions when the pH of the solution goes above 7.6 ($7.6 lt mathrmpH$). However, it shows greenish-blue color in a neutral solution (precisely $6.0 lt mathrmpH lt 7.6$; see the picture below).



          Bromothymol blue_pH_Range



          It also change color from yellow to pink in high acidic conditions such in concentrated hydrochloric acid ($0 gt mathrmpH$; see most left test tube in picture below), thus it is ideal to use as universal indicator (Wikipedia). These two example would clearly show you, as you correctly put it, synthetic indicators are much more accurate and reliable since they have being specifically designed for the task.



          Bromothymol blue_pH_0



          Sure, natural indicators could be easily prepared from easily attainable row materials, and hence, could be regularly used as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic pH indicators, but I regret to say that it can be used only in high school science activities to fascinate science loving kids. Since, those natural sources contain several color changing substances (e.g., flavanones, flavones, flavonols, and anthocyanidins), the color change at the end-points are not sharp, perhaps, due to difficulty of determining $mathrmpK_mathrma$ of relevant indicator(s). For example, although boiled red cabbage water can be used as a universal indicator in high school projects and show the end point of an acid-base titration (see following figure), it cannot be used in day-to-day analytical lab to do accurate calculations.



          Natural-Indicators



          Also, another reason for not using those natural indicator is most of these dyes tends to decompose in higher pH values. The best example is most common natural color indicator, anthocyanidins. The stability of anthocyanidins is dependent on pH. At a low pH (acidic conditions), colored anthocyanidins are present, whereas at a higher pH (basic conditions) the colorless chalcones forms are present (see scheme below) (Wikipedia).



          Anthocyanidins



          Most importantly, aside from above facts that flavonols including anthocyanidins have been studied extensively in drug development due to their plethora of biological activities (Ref.1). Thus they have been targetted in much more important tasks than usage as pH indicators.



          Reference:



          1. M. Rahnasto-Rilla, J. Tyni, M. Huovinen, E. Jarho, T. Kulikowicz, S. Ravichandran, V. A. Bohr, L. Ferrucci, M. Lahtela-Kakkonen, R. Moaddel, “Natural polyphenols as sirtuin 6 modulators,” Scientific Reports 2018, 8, 4163 (11 pages) (DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-22388-5).





          share|improve this answer











          $endgroup$



          In acid-base titrations, synthetic indicators are exclusively used to find accurate end-point determinations because they always have a highly defined color change at certain pHs. For example, phenolphthalein ($mathrmpK_mathrma = 9.7$ at $pu25 ^circC$) is colorless in acidic solutions (precisely $0 lt mathrmpH lt 8.2$), but it is pink in basic conditions when the pH of the solution goes above 8.2 (precisely $8.2 lt mathrmpH lt 12.0$), which makes it ideal for strong acid-strong base titrations (Wikipedia). On the other hand, bromothymol blue ($mathrmpK_mathrma = 7.1$ at $pu25 ^circC$) is yellow in acidic solutions (precisely $0 lt mathrmpH lt 6.0$), but it is blue in basic conditions when the pH of the solution goes above 7.6 ($7.6 lt mathrmpH$). However, it shows greenish-blue color in a neutral solution (precisely $6.0 lt mathrmpH lt 7.6$; see the picture below).



          Bromothymol blue_pH_Range



          It also change color from yellow to pink in high acidic conditions such in concentrated hydrochloric acid ($0 gt mathrmpH$; see most left test tube in picture below), thus it is ideal to use as universal indicator (Wikipedia). These two example would clearly show you, as you correctly put it, synthetic indicators are much more accurate and reliable since they have being specifically designed for the task.



          Bromothymol blue_pH_0



          Sure, natural indicators could be easily prepared from easily attainable row materials, and hence, could be regularly used as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic pH indicators, but I regret to say that it can be used only in high school science activities to fascinate science loving kids. Since, those natural sources contain several color changing substances (e.g., flavanones, flavones, flavonols, and anthocyanidins), the color change at the end-points are not sharp, perhaps, due to difficulty of determining $mathrmpK_mathrma$ of relevant indicator(s). For example, although boiled red cabbage water can be used as a universal indicator in high school projects and show the end point of an acid-base titration (see following figure), it cannot be used in day-to-day analytical lab to do accurate calculations.



          Natural-Indicators



          Also, another reason for not using those natural indicator is most of these dyes tends to decompose in higher pH values. The best example is most common natural color indicator, anthocyanidins. The stability of anthocyanidins is dependent on pH. At a low pH (acidic conditions), colored anthocyanidins are present, whereas at a higher pH (basic conditions) the colorless chalcones forms are present (see scheme below) (Wikipedia).



          Anthocyanidins



          Most importantly, aside from above facts that flavonols including anthocyanidins have been studied extensively in drug development due to their plethora of biological activities (Ref.1). Thus they have been targetted in much more important tasks than usage as pH indicators.



          Reference:



          1. M. Rahnasto-Rilla, J. Tyni, M. Huovinen, E. Jarho, T. Kulikowicz, S. Ravichandran, V. A. Bohr, L. Ferrucci, M. Lahtela-Kakkonen, R. Moaddel, “Natural polyphenols as sirtuin 6 modulators,” Scientific Reports 2018, 8, 4163 (11 pages) (DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-22388-5).






          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited Mar 24 at 5:30

























          answered Mar 24 at 5:05









          Mathew MahindaratneMathew Mahindaratne

          5,874623




          5,874623





















              4












              $begingroup$

              The main issue with natural indicators is their purity, long term chemical stability and shelf-life. Note that some natural indicators are pretty good for example the famous litmus paper is obtained from lichens. It is a mixture of several pigments like the red cabbage. Sometimes titrations are carried out at warm temperatures, do you think the pigments in cabbage survive heat in acidic and basic solutions?






              share|improve this answer









              $endgroup$

















                4












                $begingroup$

                The main issue with natural indicators is their purity, long term chemical stability and shelf-life. Note that some natural indicators are pretty good for example the famous litmus paper is obtained from lichens. It is a mixture of several pigments like the red cabbage. Sometimes titrations are carried out at warm temperatures, do you think the pigments in cabbage survive heat in acidic and basic solutions?






                share|improve this answer









                $endgroup$















                  4












                  4








                  4





                  $begingroup$

                  The main issue with natural indicators is their purity, long term chemical stability and shelf-life. Note that some natural indicators are pretty good for example the famous litmus paper is obtained from lichens. It is a mixture of several pigments like the red cabbage. Sometimes titrations are carried out at warm temperatures, do you think the pigments in cabbage survive heat in acidic and basic solutions?






                  share|improve this answer









                  $endgroup$



                  The main issue with natural indicators is their purity, long term chemical stability and shelf-life. Note that some natural indicators are pretty good for example the famous litmus paper is obtained from lichens. It is a mixture of several pigments like the red cabbage. Sometimes titrations are carried out at warm temperatures, do you think the pigments in cabbage survive heat in acidic and basic solutions?







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered Mar 24 at 3:51









                  M. FarooqM. Farooq

                  1,103110




                  1,103110



























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